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Lauder Common Riding 2014

Thousands of people turned out in Lauder today to celebrate the annual common riding. The event is one of the oldest and most religious in the Scottish Border's common riding season.

The cavalcade makes its way up the High Street. Credit: ITV Border

Cornet Craig Connell lead the cavalcade around the boundaries of the royal burgh, to mark out the land. He has always wanted to be the town's cornet, and struggled with his emotions on the day.

Craig Connell, Lauder Cornet 2014 Credit: ITV Border

I've been fighting back the tears all day just about and so have my right and left hand men actually. We've had a good day of it, it's been really good. It's meant the world to us, it's something i've always dreamed of and i've finally got to do it and i can't believe i've finally done it.

– Craig Connell, Lauder Cornet 2014

More than 300 horses and riders followed him on his duties and treated the crowds to a flat-out gallop after the traditional stopover at the Watering Stane.

Thousands cheered on the riders. Credit: ITV Border

The cavalcade then made their way back to Lauder where they stopped at the war memorial to remember the fallen.

They then proceeded to the High Street where they rode behind a marching band and hundreds of dancers.

Crowds dance up the High Street. Credit: ITV Border

A marching band paraded through the streets. Credit: ITV Border

Despite the bad weather, the streets were lined with people supporting the procession, and the party is sure continue well into the night.